Google might have a third Pixel up its sleeve codenamed 'taimen'

It was recently leaked that Google’s follow up to 2016’s Pixel and Pixel XL have been codenamed ‘muskie‘ and ‘walleye‘. So we know Google is at least keeping the trend of codenaming their devices based on marine life. However, according to a new report, it would seem Mountain View's Giant has another device, specifically a smartphone, up its sleeve. Multiple sources cited by Droid-Life are now claiming that the Search giant is working on a device codenamed ‘taimen‘.

Taimen, also known as Siberian salmon, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes, according to Wikipedia. Don’t find that interesting? Here’s another fact, Taimen is a really, really big fish. The last time Google used a big fish name (shamu) for a device’s codename, it was a 5.96 inch behemoth named Nexus 6. Droid-Life‘s sources claim the device is definitely a smartphone there’ no point wondering if its a tablet or hybrid PC or any other device class for that matter.

There’s also an impression that taimen is being developed separate from muskieand walleye. meaning proably a different design and such, which confirms that muskie and walleye are the Pixel and Pixel XL while taimen could be anything. Some people might suggest it could be a Nexus but launching a third phone under a different label sounds a bit too confusing in Google’s case. Maybe its a GoogleTango device? Or something that might not make it to the market like Project Ara.

Considering how Samsung’s Galaxy S8 (5.8 inch) and its larger sibling, the Galaxy S8 (6.2 inch) are pushing the boundaries of screen real estate while keeping the physical device dimensions, it is understandable if Google has a third, more ambitious smartphone in the works other than a possibly traditional flagship follow-ups.

It will be very hard and futile to try and predict anything at this point. It will also be interesting to see if taimen will be an even more premium smartphone than muskie and walleye. Taimen is pretty much a mystery to keep an eye out for as we move orward through 2017.

The question is, would you be interested in an even bigger device from Google?